Question by Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-6) about U-233
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce met yesterday in a hearing entitled “American Energy Dominance: Dawn of the New Nuclear Era.” Several witnesses from the nuclear industry gave testimony and responded to questions. Representative Gary Palmer of the sixth Congression district of Alabama asked a question to Dr. John Wagner of Idaho National Laboratory about uranium-233:
China has successfully converted thorium-232 into uranium-233 in a molten-salt reactor. In Alabama, our state legislature passed a joint resolution last April that the governor signed, recognizing the value of uranium-233 and offering Alabama as a new home for that material. I think that Redstone Arsenal is among nine installations chosen by the Army for its next-generation nuclear power program, the Janus program. What are your thoughts on expanding thorium reactors in the United States by utilizing the remaining U-233 that we have for fuel?
Unfortunately his question remains unanswered by Dr. Wagner because his time had run out. It’s a very valid question, however.
It’s about time to change our nuclear fuel from uranium to thorium and light breeder reactors to molten salt reactors. This will solve the nuclear issue worldwide and provide this solution to those countries that want to go nuclear for electricity use. On every continent there are vast reserves of thorium including the poorest countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and many African countries. They can be prosperous societies if their energy needs are taken care of. We had a chance in the 1970s to change the course of human history by using thorium fuel base molten salt reactors under Alwin Weinberg but the Navy and politicians fooled us into the route of uranium so that they can plutonium and make bombs and kill people. Wake up and smell the coffee.